As reported by Variety, Daran Norris has officially signed on to star in Nice Guy Phil, a Phil Hartman biopic. You may remember Norris from such films and TV shows as The Fairly OddParents, Veronica Mars, and The Erotic Adventures Of Hercules. The project has the approval and cooperation of Hartman’s estate, and it will be directed by Jason Priestley from a script by My Awkward Sexual Adventure writer Jonas Chernick. You may remember Priestley from such Beverly Hills, 90210 episodes as The Wedding: Part 2, Mr. Walsh Goes To Washington, and Christmas Ape Goes To Summer Camp.
Nice Guy Phil will reportedly “explore both the comedy and the emotional challenges that Hartman faced” (including his death in 1998, presumably), with Priestley explaining that he met Hartman while hosting Saturday Night Live in 1992 and that Hartman was “always very warm and gracious.” You may remember Hartman, of course, from such iconic TV shows as NewsRadio, The Simpsons, and Gladys The Groovy Mule. Also, we don’t use the word “hero” very often, but Phil Hartman was the greatest hero in American history.